IceHogs News

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy (ee-VAHN, vihsh-NEHV-skee), the 27th overall selection in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and a second round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for left wing Andrew Ladd.

Vishnevskiy, 22, has notched two assists and two penalty minutes in five games with the Dallas Stars over the past two seasons, which includes being held scoreless in two contests last season. The Barnaul, Russia, native spent the majority of the 2009-10 season in the American Hockey League with the Texas Stars and Chicago Wolves collecting 26 assists, 36 points and 28 penalty minutes in 79 regular-season games during his second professional campaign. He was acquired by the Thrashers, the Wolves NHL affiliate, from the Dallas Stars on February 9, 2010.

Dallas’ first choice, 27th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Vishnevskiy made his NHL debut with the club in 2008-09, tallying two assists in three games. He also appeared in 67 matchups with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen that season, collecting 13 assists and 19 points in 67 contests. Prior to turning pro, he accumulated 44 goals, 100 assists, 144 points and 197 penalty minutes in 159 career QMJHL regular-season games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies spanning three seasons (2005-2008).

Ladd, 24, registered 99 points (37G, 62) and 99 penalty minutes in 184 regular-season games over parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks, which includes 38 points (17G, 21A) and 67 penalty minutes in 82 contests in 2009-10. Ladd, who also appeared in 36 Stanley Cup Playoff tilts with Chicago over the last two years (6G, 4A), was acquired by the Blackhawks via a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on February 26, 2008.